As leader of the Liberal Democrat group on East Cambridgeshire District Council, I’ve just written to the Chief Executive as follows.

“DLUHC has just launched Changing Places toilet (CPt) funding round 2. This round will see up to £6.5 million made available to eligible councils with no current Changing Places toilet provision and those that are identified as being in the top 50 per cent of councils according to the updated index of need.

Eligible councils are listed at Annex C of the CPF round two prospectus. East Cambridgeshire is in the list of 155 authorities targeted to apply, and is listed as having zero Changing Places toilets.

The rules are very similar to last time—any venue considered, including buildings not owned or run by the council. The Council needs to submit an expression of interest, with up to three locations listed in order of preference, by Friday 30 September.

To assist councils in their applications, DLUHC are hosting livestream events in September. For those who are new to the scheme, and who did not make an application in the first round, the events will take place from 12.00pm to 1.00pm on Tuesday 6 and Thursday 15 September. Further information is available from the Changing Place Fund team at changingplaces@levellingup.gov.uk.

In view of our being targeted by Government for our poor provision of Changing Places facilities, I assume and expect the Council will be applying (and liaising with local public and private sector organisations in the process), and would like to be kept apprised of the outcome.”

Did you know that your Cambridgeshire Libraries library card gives you free access to PressReader, where you can read thousands of worldwide eNewspapers and eMagazines online as soon as they’re published?

All you have to do is

• Download and launch the PressReader app on your smartphone or visit https://www.pressreader.com/catalog
• Write ‘Cambridgeshire’ in the “Select library” search box and pick ‘Cambridgeshire County Library’
• Type in your library card number to log in

You can search for a specific title or filter by country, language or by category, such as:

• Crafts & Hobbies (including The Simple Things)
• Entertainment & TV (including SFX)
• Food & Drink (including BBC Good Food)
• For Kids & Tweens (including The Beano)
• Health & Fitness (including Women’s Health)
• History & Science (including BBC History)

I’ve just signed up and am looking forward to accessing all those titles (though maybe not The Beano).

Cambridgeshire pensioners struggling with the rising cost of living can apply for support from the Household Support Fund.

The news comes thanks to partners Cambridgeshire County Council and Age UK Cambridgeshire & Peterborough (Age UK CAP).

Anyone reaching pensionable age by Friday 30 September 2022 who lives in the County Council area can apply for support, which can be provided within a few days. Help is also available to find longer-term support to maximise and manage your money. 

More information is available at this link. For help from the fund please apply to Age UK CAP on 01223 221929 or email hsf@ageukcap.org.uk 

Cllr Mark Inskip and I have written to East Cambridgeshire District Council about Abbey‘s latest application at Garden Close.

We’ve also written to residents in Garden Close, Lawn Lane, Pippin Close, and Oates Lane with our views.

The District Council has sent some residents a letter about the latest changes made by the developer. This letter presented the justifications given by the developer as if they had the approval of the Council. We have complained to the Council about this, but are still awaiting a response from the relevant Director.

If you would like to comment on this planning application, please write to

Planning Services
East Cambridgeshire District Council
The Grange
Nutholt Lane
Ely CB7 4EE

or email plservices@eastcambs.gov.uk

Please quote reference 22/00057/RMM when writing.

East Cambridgeshire District Council is urging community groups to apply for council grants of up to £1,000.

The money can be spent on new or existing projects designed to improve the quality of life for residents.

The East Cambridgeshire Community Fund is open to applications until Friday 30 September 2022.

Information about the grant including eligibility criteria and application guidance can be found on the Council’s website http://www.eastcambs.gov.uk/finance/east-cambridgeshire-community-fund

East Cambridgeshire District Council has published the following planning application in the Sutton division.

22/00103/NMAA
Little Downham
Land rear of 47-53 Ely Road Little Downham
Non material amendment to previously approved 22/00103/FUL for demolition of the existing agricultural barns and erection of two dwellings and associated works.

You can find further information on the district council’s planning pages. If you would like to respond formally to the council about any planning application, please write to the district council and not to me.  You can comment

• online using the council’s public access web page (the link above);
• by email to plservices@eastcambs.gov.uk;
• or by post to the Planning Department, The Grange, Nutholt Lane, Ely, CB7 4EE

East Cambridgeshire District Council has published the following planning application in the Sutton division.

22/00870/FUL
Sutton
8 Cromwell Road Sutton CB6 2QL
Construction of storage work shed (retrospective).

You can find further information on the district council’s planning pages. If you would like to respond formally to the council about any planning application, please write to the district council and not to me.  You can comment

• online using the council’s public access web page (the link above);
• by email to plservices@eastcambs.gov.uk;
• or by post to the Planning Department, The Grange, Nutholt Lane, Ely, CB7 4EE

The Secretary of State for Transport has granted planning permission (a Development Consent Order) to National Highways to upgrade the route between the A1 Black Cat roundabout and the A428 Caxton Gibbet roundabout.

This will involve a new ten-mile dual carriageway, upgrades to the existing roundabouts, and a new junction at Cambridge Road with improved access to St Neots town centre and railway station. The Secretary of State’s decision letter is here. 

National Highways is due to start construction at the end of this year, with the road opening in 2026. Meanwhile surveys and investigations on site will continue until the end of this year before construction begins.

Online Q&A sessions and face-to-face public information events are planned for later this year, along with a mobile visitor centre. Updates will be published on the National Highways website and on social media at facebook.com/A428BlackCat and Twitter @A428Cat

East Cambridgeshire District Council has published the following planning applications in the Sutton division.

22/00888/FUL
Sutton
3A Victoria Place Sutton CB6 2NP
Infill single storey front extension with a bay window.

22/00892/FUL
Sutton
40 Bellairs Sutton CB6 2RW
Single storey rear extensions and alterations.

You can find further information on the district council’s planning pages. If you would like to respond formally to the council about any planning application, please write to the district council and not to me.  You can comment

• online using the council’s public access web page (the link above);
• by email to plservices@eastcambs.gov.uk;
• or by post to the Planning Department, The Grange, Nutholt Lane, Ely, CB7 4EE

East Cambridgeshire District Council has published the following planning application in the Sutton division.

22/00866/FUL
Witcham
9 The Orchards Witcham CB6 2LR
Replacement double garage.

You can find further information on the district council’s planning pages. If you would like to respond formally to the council about any planning application, please write to the district council and not to me.  You can comment

• online using the council’s public access web page (the link above);
• by email to plservices@eastcambs.gov.uk;
• or by post to the Planning Department, The Grange, Nutholt Lane, Ely, CB7 4EE